Smart/integrated system for tracking the location of a patient within a healthcare environment

Abstract

A system for tracking the location of a patient in a healthcare environment, wherein the healthcare environment comprises an electronic medical record for the patient, wherein the system comprises: an indoor positioning system (IPS) comprising: a plurality of wireless networking beacons for detecting the presence of a wireless tracker module; a wireless tracker module configured to move with the patient; and a processor in communication with the plurality of wireless networking beacons, wherein the processor is configured to (i) determine the location of the wireless tracker module within the healthcare environment, whereby to determine the location of the patient in the healthcare environment, and (ii) store the location of the patient in the healthcare environment in the electronic medical record for the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for tracking the location of a patient in a healthcare environment, wherein the healthcare environment comprises an electronic medical record for the patient, wherein the system comprises:
 an indoor positioning system (IPS) comprising:
 a plurality of wireless networking beacons for detecting the presence of a wireless tracker module; 
 a wireless tracker module configured to move with the patient; and 
 a processor in communication with the plurality of wireless networking beacons, wherein the processor is configured to (i) determine the location of the wireless tracker module within the healthcare environment, whereby to determine the location of the patient in the healthcare environment, and (ii) store the location of the patient in the healthcare environment in the electronic medical record for the patient. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless tracker module is secured to the patient so as to move with the patient. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the wireless tracker module is carried by a bracelet secured to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the wireless tracker module is a bracelet which is separate from the patient's patient identification bracelet. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the wireless tracker module is a mounted to the patient's patient identification bracelet. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the wireless tracker module is formed integral with the patient's patient identification bracelet. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless tracker module is carried by the patient's physical medical chart so as to move with the patient. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to store the location of the patient in the healthcare environment in a general database of all patient locations. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to provide alerts based on the location of the patient in the healthcare environment. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the processor provides the alerts to medical personnel. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the processor provides the alerts to the patient's family members. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the alerts comprise text messages. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to timestamp patient location data. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein the processor is further configured to analyze timestamped patient location data and to generate patient admin metrics. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the indoor positioning system (IPS) uses Wi-Fi technology. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein the default condition of the wireless tracker module is to be turned off. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein the wireless tracker module is configured to turn on at set time intervals. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein the wireless tracker module is configured to turn on based on those times that the patient is more likely to be moving. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the wireless tracker module is configured to turn on more frequently during the day and less frequently at night. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein the wireless tracker module comprises an accelerometer, and further wherein the wireless tracker module turns on after the accelerometer has stopped detecting movement. 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the indoor positioning system (IPS) uses Bluetooth technology. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the plurality of wireless networking beacons comprise standalone Bluetooth beacons. 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the plurality of wireless networking beacons comprise Bluetooth-enabled general purpose computers. 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the plurality of wireless networking beacons comprise both standalone Bluetooth beacons and Bluetooth-enabled general purpose computers. 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the plurality of wireless networking beacons comprise at least one Bluetooth-enabled handheld device selected from the group consisting of a cellphone and a tablet. 
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the wireless tracker module is configured to transmit the patient's vital signs to the processor, and further wherein the processor is further configured to store the patient's vital signs in the electronic medical record for the patient. 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 21  wherein the wireless tracker module comprises a speaker, and further wherein the wireless tracker module is configured to provide communication between the patient and medical personnel. 
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the system is also configured to track the location of a medical device in the healthcare environment. 
     
     
         29 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the system is also configured to track the location of medical personnel in the healthcare environment. 
     
     
         30 . A method for tracking the location of a patient in a healthcare environment, wherein the healthcare environment comprises an electronic medical record for the patient, wherein the method comprises:
 providing an indoor positioning system (IPS) comprising:
 a plurality of wireless networking beacons for detecting the presence of a wireless tracker module; 
 a wireless tracker module configured to move with the patient; and 
 a processor in communication with the plurality of wireless networking beacons, wherein the processor is configured to (i) determine the location of the wireless tracker module within the healthcare environment, whereby to determine the location of the patient in the healthcare environment, and (ii) store the location of the patient in the healthcare environment in the electronic medical record for the patient; 
   placing the wireless tracker module on or near the patient; and   accessing the electronic medical record for the patient to determine the location of the patient in the healthcare environment.   
     
     
         31 . A system for tracking the location of at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal within an area, wherein the system comprises:
 a positioning system comprising:
 a plurality of wireless networking beacons for detecting the presence of a wireless tracker module; 
 a wireless tracker module configured to move with the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal; and 
 a processor in communication with the plurality of wireless networking beacons, wherein the processor is configured to (i) determine the location of the wireless tracker module within the area, whereby to determine the location of the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal in the area, and (ii) store the location of the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal in the area. 
   
     
     
         32 . A method for tracking the location of at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal within an area, the method comprising:
 providing a positioning system comprising:
 a plurality of wireless networking beacons for detecting the presence of a wireless tracker module; 
 a wireless tracker module configured to move with the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal; and 
 a processor in communication with the plurality of wireless networking beacons, wherein the processor is configured to (i) determine the location of the wireless tracker module within the area, whereby to determine the location of the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal in the area, and (ii) store the location of the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal in the area; 
   placing the wireless tracker module on or near the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal; and   accessing the location of the at least one from the group consisting of a person, an object and an animal in the area.